Beetle-Experience

I spoke to APHIS a few years ago about importing substrate from Japan, but after quite a bit of conversation they said it wouldn't really be feasible / possible. I know when I import beetles there can't be any soil - or anything that even looks like soil - in the shipment. I'm not sure how plant importers operate (I guess that might be why we get the odd invasive every once in a while, like Popillia japonica). I think imported soil has to go through a sterilization process at port of entry

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/84834-Lucanus-elaphus/browse_photos?place_id=7

Have you tried i-Nat?

There are still some parking lots that haven't changed over to LED lights - if you don't want to setup a light rig try a few parking lots that are close to wooded areas without much other light pollution. We have been hitting the same spots here in Louisiana for years and they still beat blacklighting.

I keep the substrate shallow and place the pellets right in front of them when I feed them

scottbot84 - do you need some pupation substrate? I don't have any posted on the site but should be able to get you set up

I didn't find anything last time, but I had a few of the times before.

Last time I went down to Rio Rico it didn't feel the same. There were border patrol agents parked around.. I looked for just a little while and left.

I had done research on importing Scarabaeinae (Dung Beetles) with several emails and calls to APHIS/FWS and USDA Veterinary Services, and as I mentioned earlier, all Scarabaeinae are ok to import (with FWS license) as long as they are not from a country with a history of "Hand, foot, and mouth disease". This came from the head of USDA Veterinary Services and the head entomologist at APHIS/PPQ. Any dung beetle native to the US is free to move about without permits. Anything else that doesn't come from the list of countries with "hoof and mouth" and is imported under FWS is free to move after it

I am/was hoping to find more literature and breeding reports on things like Argyrophegges, Fornasinius and Hegemus to try to help my case for also allowing these species in the U.S. I have talked to a few breeders but need more concrete evidence. I have also been searching for a reputable source for some of the South American Scarabaeinae.. there is a whole bunch of interesting species like Phanaeus lancifer ! Most of the people I have found deal in heavily in Lepidoptera.

Maybe send me a message or email (info@beetle-experience.com). Are you keeping things alive or is everything being preserved? In central and northern LA we have scorpions, tarantulas, centipedes, leaf-cutter ants, large beetles... The large aquatics in south LA: Giant Water Bugs: Lethocerus uhleri and Benacus griseus Predaceous Diving Beetles: Cybister fimbriolatus Giant Water Scavenger Beetles: Hydrophilus triangularis ..plus: Eastern Lubber Grasshoppers Steven

Where in Louisiana? There are some nice spots in central LA, unless you are looking for aquatics or lubbers then you would need to come further south.

Also, that one is a female

Some of the exotic coleopteral exceptions include: Scarabaeinae (Dung Beetles, as long as they are not from a country with a history of "Hand, foot, and mouth disease") insectivorous beetles like Carabidae (Ground Beetles, Tiger Beetles) and the three aforementioned species of Goliathus. Actually JKim, one Scarabaeidae that much of the U.S. is having trouble with is Popillia japonica - "Japanese Beetles", they have not made it to Louisiana yet.

Correct: "..if they were captive bred in the US they are still illegal " - I hear people try to use this line to sell/own exotics. ..but not ALL exotics are illegal